State Dems bid goodbye to chairman Walsh

Saturday

Sep 7, 2013 at 7:16 PM

By John J. Monahan , TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

WORCESTER — Two hundred Democratic state committee members from around the state gathered at North High School Saturday to work on a transition to new leadership as Massachusetts Democratic Party Chairman John Walsh tendered his resignation and the party leaders set a date of Oct. 17 to elect his replacement.

Mr. Walsh, the Abington businessman who has preached a message of inclusion, grass-roots organizing and one-on-one campaign appeals to voters, urged party loyalists to "remain strong" and pledged to stay involved in state politics. After his resignation becomes effective next month, he said, he plans to work "shoulder to shoulder" with local Democrats even as he heads off to a new job as executive director of the Deval Patrick Committee and Mr. Patrick's Together PAC.

So far only one person has emerged as a contender for the chairmanship, Sen. Thomas McGee of Lynn, who attended the meeting and chatted with committee members about their ideas for the party. Mr. McGee said Mr. Walsh set a new standard for grassroots organizing while emphasizing face-to-face canvassing for votes during election campaigns.

"We understand that is how you connect with people. Whether you are working on a local level or on a statewide election, it has been successful," Mr. McGee said. "If I have the opportunity to be the next chair we clearly will be building on that success," he said.

Committee members who filled the school cafeteria gave Mr. Walsh a standing ovation during his remarks at the podium. And while they sorted through votes on rule changes and scheduling of next June's state nominating convention to be held in Worcester, many talked in the aisles about Mr. Walsh's impact since he chaired Gov. Patrick's 2006 campaign and then agreed to lead the state committee.

"In addition to getting Deval Patrick elected and Tim Murray elected he has made a huge difference in the party. He has brought the party together. He brings people together very well," said Sen. Harriette L. Chandler, D-Worcester.

While he has served as chairman the state Democrats have hung on to all of its House seats in Congress, seen the governor and lieutenant governor re-elected in 2010 and put both Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey in the U.S. Senate. "Everyone understands that John Walsh was the guy who was there and was behind it all," Ms. Chandler said, adding, "I'm not sure how welcoming the Democratic Party was before."

State Auditor Suzanne Bump said Mr. Walsh has redefined the job leading the state party. "He has set a new standard. He really has. He has traveled all over the state and he has been an extraordinary strategist for candidates and party leaders," she said.

As an indication of the party's expanding reach, the committee voted at the meeting to appoint a special committee to give official party status to the Massachusetts Democratic Latino Caucus, which has been organizing and working on local campaigns over the last year.

For his part, Mr. Walsh said he feels he is leaving the state party is a strong position.

"I'm feeling confident in the future. The Democrats' biggest asset is its deep talent pool, and that is being reflected in the candidates emerging for 2014 and also in the leadership of the party," Mr. Walsh said.

"In April 2007, I was elected to chair this at a moment of real optimism and hope with the election of Governor Patrick," he said. "Since that point I am very happy our work has realized most of that optimistic hope. The party is strong financially. It's strong organizationally. We are filled with enthusiasm, and with hard work we are ready to go," Mr. Walsh said.